To make the seams of the canoe watertight we have to collect Spruce gum. Later the gum will be heated and mixed with bear fat to make it more flexible.
The pieces of birch bark are lashed together with roots. Here we collect roots from the Jack Pine, the best place to get them is in sandy soil where the trees are not too close together. At first you use a pick axe to pull up a root.
Then pull it out of the ground following it as it goes under and over other roots.
Once we had a bunch of roots we took them home to split them immediately, its easier while they are fresh. Marc is wearing gloves because the roots contain stuff that makes your hands dry out.
After splitting and peeling the roots we stored them. When we were ready to use them, we soaked them in warm water until they are flexible
At the end of a hard days work its good to relax in the company of a beer and Tom playing guitar.
